Government launches national telecommunications policy ANGUILLA--The Executive Council approved a Draft National Telecommunications Policy for the liberalization of the telecommunications sector in Anguilla, on Thursday, June 7. The Draft Policy positively outlines Government's plan to create a modern legal and regulatory framework that will allow for the further development of the telecommunications sector to international standards. The Draft Policy is the first active step in the liberalization process. Full liberalization will occur after the enacting of new telecommunications legislation to replace the outmoded current legislation which was introduced in 1973, well before the wave of liberalization that began in the 1980s and is now sweeping the world, and well before developments such as the Internet became a part of everyday life. Comments are invited from stakeholders and the public at large for consideration for inclusion in the final Telecommunications Policy Document. A new licence will have to be negotiated with and granted to Cable & Wireless, the existing licensed monopoly telecommunications provider. This new licence will take into consideration the new modern legislative and regulatory framework. Government sees liberalization of telecommunications as a cornerstone to Anguilla's further economic development and essential for Anguilla to move into higher margin activities such as web hosting, e-commerce and Internet related services. The health, education, tourism, government and financial services sectors also stand to benefit from the coming liberalized regime. International experience has shown that liberalization of the telecommunications sector is soon followed by reduced charges, improved service, the introduction of new services and a more efficient and internationally competitive telecommunications sector. International experience has also shown that prices are reduced and new services offered as soon as steps are taken towards liberalization. Furthermore, employment in the telecommunications sector is invariably increased as new services are offered and new entrants come into the market. Cheaper and better telecommunications would not only allow Anguilla's business sector to become more internationally competitive, but would also make Anguilla more attractive as a place to do business. Government is pleased that Cable & Wireless West Indies Limited has expressed its intention to move forward and compete with other service providers in a liberalized telecommunications sector. The policy was drafted by telecommunications expert Dr. Peter Stern and legal consultant Tira Greene. The Draft Policy follows the publication in March 2001 of the Summary of Proposals for Liberalisation of the Telecommunications Sector in Anguilla. Dr. Stern visited Anguilla on April 1-7 when he met with various stakeholders in the public and private sector. He is a telecommunications policy and regulation consultant with considerable international experience who has worked in the Caribbean, in the OECS as well as in Trinidad and Tobago. His most recent projects have been in Colombia, Croatia, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Costa Rica and Iran. He has advised and assisted more than 15 countries in the Caribbean, South and Central America, Eastern Europe and Africa in preparing their WTO offers. He is a member of the International Telecommunications Union TELECOM Board. Greene has worked in Intellectual Property and Telecommunications law, including telecommunications reform in Trinidad and Tobago. Her recent projects include intellectual property and e-commerce issues including projects in Trinidad & Tobago, Anguilla, Mauritius, Ghana and Geneva. Copies of the policy are available for viewing at the Public Library from Friday, June 8. The Draft Policy will also be published in the Gazette and on the World Wide Web at www.gov.ai/telecommunications The Government welcomes comments from all sectors of the public. All comments must reach Government by June 22 for their consideration for inclusion in the final policy. Comments may be sent to the Attorney General's Chambers, P.O. Box 60, The Valley, Anguilla or Ministry of Infrastructure Utilities and Housing, P.O. Box 60, The Valley, Anguilla. Comments can also be made on the link provided on www.gov.ai/telecommunications Website. Give us your opinion on this story Post a message on our message board! Click Here! Copyright ©1998 The Daily Herald - Design by Dimitri879